Composer Reacts to Autechre - 1 1 is (REACTION & ANALYSIS)

Bryan reacts to and talks about his thoughts on Autechre - 1 1 is
ORIGINAL VIDEO // • Autechre - 1 1 is
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0:00 Intro
1:25 Reaction
8:45 Initial Thoughts
10:12 Analysis - Nausea Inducing Production
18:27 Analysis - Overview
20:00 Analysis - Extremely Dynamic Production
30:09 Analysis - Fluctuating Pitches
34:39 Analysis - Uncanny Valley Audio
37:00 Analysis - A Lot of Sound
39:13 Outro

[@tomwilliams8591]

To me, their music feels like a living, breathing organism that is often times anchored by a rhythmic heartbeat.

[@SuperChexmixer]

Amen

[@jboy55]

I feel like its a sentient machine made up out of spare parts, which struggles to move, but then every so often, everything just lines up correct and it dances.

[@spacewhona1121]

This is what Aphex twin said about syro

[@nodezsh]

@@jboy55 That's basically what they're doing these days. They first plug up some random (though experimental they're very calculated) programs using a programming language called Max, which is used for audiovisual multimedia processing, but which can also make sounds from scratch. Here's the thing though, their programs are not designed to only synthesize sounds; They use these programs to make a musical idea work on its own and generate itself on the fly. But that's not all: These programs can't make a full song on their own, so they just plug random modular programs into a bigger program and then they see what sticks. They have no idea what's gonna come out. They're not even composing the thing, save for probably some tweaks to give the track some guidance on music theory. The end of the song distinctly uses a fourth interval so that the song has an apparent key. Or well, as close anyway, because we're not even sure if it's major or minor with that small hint. You know where the scale starts but that's it.

[@nodezsh]

@@jboy55 I also have to point out that these songs are meant to develop on their own over time, at least in the way their fanbase analyzes their music. But then they also threw Quaristice on us which has none of that whatsoever. And then they also gave us "acid mwan idle" which… is itself.

[@Sipowiczz]

Went to see Autechre two days ago, got a free ticket. Didn't know anything about them, except they're from Manchester. I was expecting some type of experimental trip hop, acid house, nothing too weird. Boy was i wrong. It was extremely weird, to the point it felt like a bad trip. Sitting there in complete darkness, thinking wtf am i doing here. It was so alien i was tripping on that shit. What a horrific experience. I'm glad i went.

[@robertpavey5615]

Sounds great! I'll take a hundred please!

[@re_lre_l]

you just experienced smth what a lot of guys want to even for free and like "naw im quit"

[@sl9dge]

I grew up in the 2000s looking for UFOs and Alien stuff online while listening to their discography. Alien is definitely the word that describes them the best.

[@yellowmonkee0]

Tickets went up online for their gig in Lisbon. Sold out instantly...

[@bouzivra3301]

👎

[@edwarddawson42]

I'm just glad somebody listened to autechre and talked about it at length indismissively. Props

[@painstruck01]

a classical composer who i know heard Autechre for the first time and immediately recognised that there was an element of aleatoric composition (true, via their approach to modulation) and compared the harmony to György Ligeti and timbral approach to Stockhausen. I think that if this was a real, educated composer with a vague understanding of 20th century Avant Garde, they'd have no problem describing Autechre. this guy is just struggling to describe Autechre's cavalier approach to transients and the fact that they use fft to switch sound processing on a whim, which makes it hard to describe what's happening in layman's terms. interesting that he said it sounds like they're bending light/sound round an object given Autechre's preference for dividing production tasks between generation (often through hardware machines like the Machine Drum) and processing which, i gather, they favour Max/msp although i know they've used Kyma. and so they have a solid object which they often obscure by the processing. they CAN write techno - they just choose not to 🤣

[@markusrautaniemi]

For me listening to Autechre is like watching a complex 3D stream of data, which is evoving and moprhing all the time yet there are recognizible emerging patterns, which actually makes it feel a lot more organic than most of the "normal" music, since sounds in nature (cities, waves on the shore, wind in trees, even animals) are constantly evolving and there arent too many pure tones but sliding and fading in between.

[@Boyish000]

You were able to spend nearly 30 minutes with an analysis on this very abstract track even with little to no knowledge on this type of music. I also give you big props

[@CriticalReactions]

Music is a language with different dialects. I might not know exactly what a new genre is saying but I'll understand the general gist of it. And that's what I love about music, it's a universal language even at its indecipherable moments.

[@ishudder]

The joy of Autechre has always been their willingness to deconstruct convention - perform a sonic balancing act and sometimes tumbling and very often triumphing. Too many electronic acts follow a linear path - which have their place - but there is also a wonderful place in heaven for experiments such as this. Fascinating hearing this guys disconcertion.

[@internetenjoyer1044]

the other interesting thing is that they are extremely hip hop influenced. the sound design and timbral experimentation, and the minimalist subtlety of the melodies obscures this but they still think of themselves as a dance group

[@Demention94]

@@internetenjoyer1044 I hear that

[@simonyricools]

@@internetenjoyer1044 yeah, the foundation of this track is a pretty forward boom bap beat, albeit almost warped into oblivion

[@UbikDedalus]

​@@internetenjoyer1044to be fair I found my personal privileged way of getting into Autechre releases is listening to them in a space where I am free to move and dance to them. They may not be too off in thinking of themselves as a hip hop or dance group

[@fourtreemouths]

there’s always been talk of autechre collaborating with a rapper. while i feel that could be cool, it could also be weird. like when they remixed SOPHIE, soon before her death. while it was a cool nod to a like minded groundbreaking musician from the same landmass, it was kinda underwhelming. what i’m saying is; the potential collab feels inherently volatile, it would be rad for some fans and cringe for others, depending on the MC. i just want more autechre no matter what; they keep getting better , its awesome to see

[@static_motion]

Oof, talk about throwing someone straight off the deep end. Exai in general is an extremely hard listen. Their works up to their album "LP5" are far more accessible, they got pretty harsh from then on. My personal favourite track of theirs is "Rae", off "LP5". It's weird enough to make it uniquely Autechre, while remaining accessible, and is a super interesting listen.

[@CriticalReactions]

There's definitely a joy people get in starting me in the deep end with artists. I have a pretty open mind and a good ear so I don't think it's usually to the detriment of the videos. Plus there's that "let's hear him say something positive about this very not-palatable track" angle 😄

[@static_motion]

@@CriticalReactions Hahah, I guess that's the reality for most of the "react" video genre, although I do agree that you handle it in a more interesting manner than most as you do make an effort to dig into what you heard and try to pick out things you like in it, even if it was unpalatable to you. Although, I do think it sometimes works detrimentally, as it could turn you off an artist which may have works you might truly enjoy (I'm reminded of Animals As Leaders and how you were introduced to them via Arithmophobia, one of their less digestible tracks), but again as you said you have a pretty open mind when it comes to that!

[@F3udF1st]

Exai is actually pretty straightforward if you compare it to Elseq and especially NTS Sessions. That said, 1 1 is is absolutely one of their greatest songs ever IMO.

[@speore]

In terms of deep end autechre it could of been way worse imo. elyc6 0nset or gonk steady one anyone?

[@Broformist]

"Exai" for me was their first experimental album that I liked and actually ended up unlocking the rest of their stuff. I knew these guys for 20 years and loved their first few albums but any time I tried to listen to anything starting with "Confield" and onwards I would just get pissed off and drop it. I really thought these guys lost it. But then I got convinced to give "Exai" a go couple years ago and somehow it clicked. I found CD1 strangely enjoyable and was surprised to find out that CD2 is even better. That put me on a long marathon of listening and relistening to every other of their later phase albums by the end of which I ended up liking pretty much all of them haha. I still don't really like their LIVE sets that they've been releasing since 2015, find them more irritating than fun. But the albums? Please give me more.

[@freerby]

The "Harp" sound is Karplus-Strong string synthesis. They use Karplus quite a bit in their work.

[@joncoish]

You should check out the track Pen Expers, it is maybe the most impressive production I’ve ever heard. The song is like a battle between this dirty drum beat and this gorgeous melody. The beat is trying to hold down the melody, but the melody keeps fighting through and eventually makes it to the surface at the climax, only to be beat down again at the end. Amazing stuff. Corc is another amazing track. Autechre are very hit and miss with me, well mostly their later stuff, but when they hit it’s amazing!

[@sukidashing3882]

pen expers might be their best song but especially in combination with augmatic disport

[@surroundgatari]

I love Pen Expers, but man it's far from even their most impressive production! Their later shit is completely incomprihensible in terms of figuring out what they're even doing... I can at least tell on Pen Expers that it's mostly some crazy fuckery with sidechaining, compressors and reverb. It's a mind melting track but even with that in mind autechre's production process got more and more blatantly alien, especially after Oversteps shit got WEIRD

[@jordanbolm8517]

Autechre have an uncanny, And unequaled ability to start a track in one place, and end it in a completely different place. By far my favorite artist.. Also great reaction to the track 👍

[@DamienPollet]

I've seen them live recently (or not, since they cut all lighting before coming on stage and play in complete darkness…) and I can say it was the best produced concert I've ever been to (and by far, just another level entirely). Both very loud and completely clear, you could hear all the timbres and transients precisely. I'm pretty sure they had tuned their entire system to the room.

[@nomadic626]

that is exactly how i would describe their live performances , Last time I saw them about 4 years ago, the whole light's out thing is perfect to be able to focus on the clarity of their overall sounds even though allot of people in the show were disappointed about the lights. they come around here very few often but when they do i get to hang out with Rob for a bit and supper cool dude. Sean seems cool but he always disappears after the show.

[@m00d_fm]

The darkness just adds to it, you get lost in the sound.

[@someonelse9]

You are a very lucky guy, I had the chance to see em in L.a but missed it:( probably my biggest regret. I would also love to see Monolake )Robert Henke) live which is also an immersive experience in sound design/placement

[@Braunld]

Their sounds have a visual, physically tangible quality, like they're occupying a three-dimensional canvas. My experience 'seeing' them live was a powerful, visual (audio evoking visions), and visceral experience. Quite moving in a very physical way. Braindance music as audio sculpture.

[@luctanguay5300]

Saw (maybe more appropriate to say "Hear") them in Montreal in 2010 and it was the same "experience". I think the best concert I went to. Their music does not need visual support and their CD covers reflect that (for those old enough to have bought CDs :-).

[@tomwilliams8591]

Huge respect for this. Autechre are most likely my favourite music act, and your reaction helped solidify what is so special about them for me. Much more than any other band, Autechre taught me to listen to music in a completely different way. The confusion you experienced made me grin from ear to ear, because I can fully relate to it from my early days listening to them.

[@donmach6458]

Autechre is just one of those artists, while so compositionally alien and complex, you eventually reach closed corners to unveil even the deepest parts within your subconscious abyss, and in turn, what remains is the thought of laborious, yet certifying gratification. P.S. i hope someone recommends more autechre.

[@TheMetatron333]

It felt like a sound cancelling object was wandering around my head.

[@andregurov]

One of the joys of newer-Ae music - pretty much everything after Chiastic Slide (yeah, that probably dates me!) - is how hard you have to listen to engage with it as music. For some that is quite uncomfortable. I've always found that their electro/hip-hop roots shine through in everything they do; the rhythm is always there even when there is no beat. Listening to it is akin to listening to jazz for the first time: snatches of good sounds that don't always "come together" until your ears & brain find a way to organize them.

[@MarkErrington]

I’ve always thought of Autechre as the electronic equivalent of avant gardé jazz.

[@Braunld]

The AE_LIVE (2015 dates) aren't difficult to engage with, or listen to, at all. This seems like a common misconception that you must listen "harder" to something to better understand it. I believe that it only takes more attentive (focused) listening, and with Autechre's music, that's not hard to do. It isn't difficult because Ae's tracks often command attention in their presence. It's very much **not** ambient music or sound art that's meant to be put on in the background.

[@totopolo2379]

jazz and hip hop are low iq and pretty basic, rules are easy to spot on jazz, playing jazz can be boring..., hip hop is the dumbest thing ever created. No, AE stablish odd and basic patterns, textures and rhythms and all of them evolve as a system stablishing new patterns, textures and rhythms in a asymmetrical way. It is not random sht music, it has some logic and you can get into meditation by a few minutes of it.

[@a.nobodys.nobody]

You find their New stuff is harder or easier?

[@a.nobodys.nobody]

​@@totopolo2379 what a shite take. You obviously haven't done your homework

[@jboy55]

When I was getting into Autechre first, around the Tri-Repatae time, someone told me, don't judge it until you listen to it 5 times. I swear at around the 4-5th time, it all suddenly made complete sense.

[@TheCeembee]

Lol so true. I discovered them when lp5 dropped and it did take 4/5 listens for me even though I was into free jazz, 😅Indian classical music (highly recommended if you into crazy rhythms and not only) breakbeat/bnb and some simpler idm and afx as well.

[@mrdetonia]

Nearly two weeks late to the party - thanks KZbin notifications :) I'm the dude that recommended the track, so thank you and apologies! There were some other tracks that I thought might be more accessible from that era of their music, but they're usually 20 minutes long or more; and though you've done reactions to songs that long before, that felt a bit cruel. Very glad to hear you found the track at least interesting and got something out of it. On the production, you're spot on in how they use space / direction. How they can form a physical space from music and fill it with objects that change and move around you has always astounded me. They create their tracks using an enigma of self-built tools in Max/MSP, so exactly how they do it is a mystery to us all. Cheers!

[@do_happywork]

I disagree. this is by far one of the most accessible tracks.

[@tatoarg9508]

To me sometimes is really hard to establish how come this is not "academic" music. This is closer to Parmegiani than to Tiësto, or the like. They program and create their own patches and software. It's truly advanced.

[@fed402_1]

They use Max/MSP which they didn't make, but is still one of the most complex musical programs ever, and it can do more than music!

[@JoshBratton]

May not be the best introduction to Autechre. By the way, Exai, which could be translated to the Roman Numeral XI is their 11th (1 1) album.

[@LyubomirIko]

There is no good introduction to them. Their discography is so different as well - even if you pick something more melodic and grounded to the common music theory, and actually instantly like it - it wont make justice to the rest. The only way you can start to like them is by listening to them more and more. To be honest - my first reaction to their music was this strange nausea he describe. It was pushing me back at first, but the sounds... oh the sounds just keep coming, painting new vast worlds - so I resist and continue. This was so many years ago, but I remember it clearly - I was pushing back at first. So the only way to appreciate them is to break free from this initial reaction that seems - is often not the most positive. Than you repeat the same track few days after - and wow! Was this the same track??? Their Amoeba-like/shapeless/camouflage sound - have this "wall" properties - you need to come back and hear it again, and again, and again - to actually finally "hear" some of theси elements for the first time in the light they intended to light them up. It is like a training. If you past the tutorial - you can go more inward. They are not catchy, not trying to persuade you at all. Like - keep away buddy - if you are not prepared. But they did have a message, not just a musical piece. Not trying to make "music", but like... to describe something with the sound, to create this landscape with sound.

[@LS-pe1rr]

this is one of their best tracks

[@cornsail]

Excellent description for a first listen. I will definitely check out some more of your videos. To me part of what makes Autechre rewarding is going from "I don't even know how to listen to this" to "yes, this is the best" through repeat listens and active listening. Familiarity has a big impact on the way we perceive music. Some tracks I don't wind up ever liking much, but the shift in perception is still interesting. That said, a lot of their earlier stuff is a lot more "normal" (though still boundary pushing for the time) and is also amazing. Check out tracks like Clipper, Cipater, Arch Carrier, Glitch, Rae, Rsdio, Corc, etc from their earlier albums if you're interested.

[@CriticalReactions]

I can totally see the discovery aspect being a huge component to enjoying them.

[@stephenmccallion5886]

Great reaction, bending sound is a really great way to describe their music. Love that you’re reviewing experimental electronica such as this there isn’t a lot out there who does. I’d love for you to review Aphex Twin: Selected Ambient Works Volume II

[@RyleyAtk]

So glad you're reacting to Autechre. I can think of many tracks you would love or at least find fascinating. I think it's actually awesome that you've been thrown in the deep end a bit here, but to go back to an earlier era, one song I would highly recommend is Surripere.

[@drunkard103]

i would love to see you do an analysis on ultratronics by ryoji ikeda or HYbr:ID vol 1 by alva noto

[@johnseward2934]

I think an album that would be quite challenging sonically and structurally yet be more on the side of the line that you can relate to as music, is the latest Low album Hey What. Extremely unique, hauntingly beautiful, full range dynamics, and an absolute journey.

[@Astral0muffiN]

I absolutely love you getting this track as a follow-up to Clark. It really takes the auditory experience to the extreme. Many of these dynamic elements are present in a lot of Clarks music but self-exemplified as a primary element in itself here. This track takes the audio engineering to a truly alien level. Christ. Shpongle, Clark and Matmos are the only artists that comes close. These levels of intricacies where visual metaphors describe the experience better than the actual experience of the art is super interesting and Autechre really involves itself with the spatial and geometrical.

[@wm3284]

I loved your initial reaction 😃 I think that you found them interesting and that's what it's all about. Every Autechre gig I have been to is an experience because each one is always always different 👍🏾🎶

[@user-ic7ii8fs2j]

what a brilliant analogy with a sphere. its like a perfect smooth object is trying to deform(escape) itself into more aggressive sharper shapes, but is forced back to its original every time and has to start over again

[@syafiighazali]

2:30: Ah, the "IDM head nod"

[@Lightning_Alert]

Thank you for this reaction! I think they’re incredible! Love love love autechre!!!

[@DerekPower]

As soon as I saw you were tackling on Autechre, I *knew* I had to see your reaction to it =D For myself, it's been more than twenty years since I first encountered Autechre. Interestingly enough, my encounter began at what could be seen as a "convergence singularity". The first album of theirs I heard was Tri Repetae. The edition issued by WaxTrax!/TVT contained a second disc, which had two of their EPs: Anvil Vapre and Garbage. This turned out to be an excellent "crash course" of sorts with Autechre at this point in their career. Now ... this was early 2001. Several months later, they dropped Confield, which in hindsight turned into a kind of pivot point where their music was more akin to alternate sound design rather than following a conventional pattern. To bring it all together, I embraced Autechre immediately as artists to follow, no matter where they go. You touched on this during your analysis ... at points ;). I really enjoy Autechre's continuing drive to create interesting sonic worlds that embraces a lot of contradictions: natural and artificial, simple and complex, intimate and vast, static and dynamic. When looking at music categories, I like how they can change the categories: rhythms become melodies, harmonies become rhythms, melodies become harmonies. It's weird, but I enjoy having that kind of mental dance. And as a composer and producer myself - (wink) - I get a kick out of artists who are pushing things to the next level as it does help me in my own expressions.

[@CriticalReactions]

Spot on about hearing stuff that's so far out there and having it burst your own imagination open as you want to explore similar things.

[@pmwmartens]

I love the open minded thoughts and reaction. Listening to Autechre is like learning a new kind of language (was that by John Peel?). The album cover is connected to Conway's game of life.

[@henryfrigon9382]

It’s obviously a cute koala

[@shaunsmith1825]

3:48 "everything about it seems so foreign" lol

[@robertpavey5615]

You should check out Bola (Darrell Fitton). He is from the Rochdale area like Autechre and makes some great electronic music, perhaps with more melody and some, at times, very emotional atmosphere. I recommend every album he has made. Infact the guy may have been responsible for some of the work on Autechre's earliest albums and he might have given them a synthesizer when they were starting out.

[@CynicalBastard]

With Autechre, you encounter a lot of silence that hangs in the air: like atonality, it challenges the temperament of the listener's comprehension as a listener or part of an audience. Yes, very "otherworldly" or "foreign".

[@wardka]

Wow! This is a deep and well thought through analysis. Autechre is one of my favorites even though I find they can sometimes trigger my anxiety or even panic. I love their experimentation regardless. I'm 66, by the way. Subscribed.

[@anesssssssssssssssssssssssssss]

Gonna see them this year, i'm ready to get ear drilled

[@nomad_boreal]

8:45 - tfw Ae simultaneously pops your cherry and bestows the Gift

[@agathashoham]

Great reaction and analysis.

[@flyingsteaks]

Something that should be noteworthy is that 1 1 is was release about 20 years after their first album Incunabula. They went through a huge journey to come with the stuff you heard with A LOT of variation in their discography, this is just one facet of it. I'd hugely recommend, for any real music fan, to at least try taking in more of their stuff, it's just truly fascinating music that probably no one else in the world can replicate, and just a different experience than anything you can listen to out there. Probably some of their 90s tracks would work better as an introduction to the group, check out Eutow, Tilapia or Goz Quarter. Anyway, they're amazing, have fun.

[@edjwise]

Reading a few Autechre interviews will give you an idea of what they are thinking when they are creating music. I suggest the Sound on Sound interviews, they are a bit technical and discuses specific methods they use in their studio.

[@ambassadortourettes753]

This is the soundtrack to when the mushrooms turned against me 🥺

[@yesok2522]

"It's just hip hop, innit"

[@MultiHogleg]

I like the fact that I can't know what I'm hearing on a verbal or conceptual level - but I can feel my hearing, and I experience a sense of livingness, particularly creatures, in the sound - in some ways it sounds how a large dose of LSD feels, which obviously would be terrifying or sickening for some, but fun and exciting and intriguing for others, depending on what tickles your neurons - but there is also a specific emotionality to Autechre's music, and describing how I enjoy it in general, doesn't and can't say anything about how I feel about individual pieces or sections

[@Godspleen]

Lovely reaction

[@muzikermammoth3995]

The low pressure and attack & decay from the bass is the reason why there's motion sickness.

[@richardctaylor79]

The first time I heard Autechre was my friend playing the Amber album... I was like Woah, this is the weirdest electronic music I'd ever heard... and I liked it..

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

Autechre is an artist I know of just because they were huge in electronica and I've come across a track or two in soundtracks and elsewhere. I've never purposefully sat down to listen to them though, and this was definitely a trip. I don't know what exact sub-genre of electronic music you'd label this as, but it sounds like the genre's equivalent of psychedelia where the oddity of the sounds and textures are as much a part of the appeal as the actual music. At the very least I could see me putting this on as background music... would probably make for great music for anything creative: repetitive enough to not distract too much, but weird enough to stir the creative juices.

[@CriticalReactions]

I wonder what kind of music I could make if I had this on in the background with a lower volume :)

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

@@CriticalReactions Only one way to find out!

[@AJ-xx5ik]

"An onslaught of auditory information" Well put

[@BeardsAndScience]

Finally, a reaction to Autechre! One of my favorite electronic music duos together with Plaid and Mount Kimbie :) I suggest reacting to Plaid's tracks CLOCK and Wallet.

[@arasharfa]

love love love plaid too

[@meatsuit6922]

Would kill to get more experimental electronic music on here, a lot of the strain of music along the lines of hypnogogic pop/deconstructed club/post-industrial/modern plunderphonics has an edge behind it that someone with a background in theory would really appreciate, like Elysia Crampton, Seth Graham, Giant Claw, James Ferraro, and Chino Amobi, I'm sure all of whom which would probably say Autechre and Warp Records had an impact on them in some degree.

[@sl9dge]

This is exactly how I've always described Autechre : constantly pushing the boundaries of what "good music" means, by exploring the very edges of what is considered sounding "good", embracing ugliness sometimes, but definitely giving beautifulness some other times. It's almost "anti-music" cause they put all their efforts into making the complete opposite of what you would expect from a catchy good sounding pop song.

[@antonb348]

You should try t1a1 from the NTS sessions it’s mind bending

[@Broformist]

"Otherworldly" is exactly right when describing anything they are making since 2001 album "Confield". And I guess some tracks before that too. Definitely among the very top electronic producers ever, but took me almost 20 years to get into their post 2000+ stuff hehe. It was sure worth it though, nobody can do it like them. Just don't expect to fully get into their stuff on first listen. It takes repeat listenings to properly appreciate. When it comes to sound design I believe they are the very best in the world. No better artist to test new sound system with.

[@ethanwimsett]

A good example for sound design as a term

[@sluttyfrogmagician]

In my experience it takes around 10-20 years to even start wrapping my brain around an Autechre track. And I’m a synthesist who understands electronic composition pretty well!

[@ianward2120]

" it becomes increasingly difficult to figure out what they're doing." Hehehe ..this also describes 30 years of following them.

[@unslept_em]

ooh exai is my fav autechre album! i get really good synesthesia from their music, but if i had to describe its timbres, textures, and rhythms in any sort of normal way i'd be at a loss too lol. if you're looking for more music to analyze, i think Mid-Air Thief - These Chains is pretty mind-blowing and i think you'd have a lot to say about it

[@robertpavey5615]

Trying to type Autechre song titles in the comments section really fucks with the autocorrect function.

[@baker2880]

I wish you would listen to their early work, like the first album. Its a classic!!

[@JeroenBaxexm]

such a good track..

[@Demention94]

Autechre is super dynamic and special. Only listen to them now and then..

[@ricjenner1120]

Autechres music is very thought provoking. Often, they produce a feeling , a reaction that is beyond words. My vocabulary falls short, or perhaps language falls short. To me, Their music evokes a sentiment about consciousness and our relationship with technology that cannot be adequately expressed linguistically. Their earlier music at least has identifiable melodies from the western scale, and familiar sounds from consumer instruments like Roland drum machines and Yamaha synthesizers. Their newer material (like this) exists in an entirely different auditory realm, and I thought your analysis was unpretentious and fascinating. Far better than I could’ve done after hearing them for the first time.

[@steveprice7869]

This was quite a tame Autechre track to be honest :) Having listened to them since day one, when they were just doing "normal" electronic music and then still listening to them now, where they now pushing boundaries of what i would call listening pleasure. Each album is a listening challenge and i've known some tracks to REALLY connect after multiple plays. They are unique and i so glad to be on the journey with them. Note: A live Chris Clark gig nearly made me puke! I love his older material but that night, he was bass heavy and that was playing tricks with my stomach! :D Great night!

[@daniel.lopresti]

I think that's one of the foundations of electronic music in general - repetition of rhythm and melody, and most of the movement is the dynamic modulation of frequencies, timbres/envelopes, amplitude, etc.

[@dirtycelinefrenchman]

“It becomes increasingly difficult to understand what they’re doing”

[@karmacamera675]

It's funny because I've always considered Autechre's later stuff as the type of thing that would be terrible for a first-time reaction. I love their music, but I always kinda hate listening to new stuff from them because I know that it won't click for me until the third or fourth listen. I put in the work anyway because I know that after the initial period of forced exposure that I'll end up having an epiphany about it that makes it worthwhile. I think "Rae" from LP5 is a pretty good introduction to them because it strikes a good balance of overwhelming production wizardry and an emotionally moving melodic/harmonic progression that is conventional enough for an average Joe to understand. There have always been overtly gorgeous material buried in their later works (altibzz, carefree counter dronal, gr4) but only hardcore fans would be willing to put in the effort to understand their more batshit stuff (fol3, elyc6 0nset, violvoic). I think the batshit stuff is totally worth it, though. lol

[@TetrisMaster512]

I've never really gotten through that initial exposure period with their newer stuff. It really is their least accessible music. Selections from Tri Repetae or Chiastic Slide are probably what I'd go to in order to introduce someone to Autechre, maybe even further back (Incunabula or the Artificial Intelligence tracks) if they hadn't already had some experience with IDM.

[@blauphus2]

But the batshit stuff is where it's at baby! Cep puiqMX, Flep, 32a_reflected, dummy casual pt2 (it's just...so cute!), Pro Radii...almost everything from Quaristice (and it's various 'versions'). Each new album becomes more beautifully batshit as time goes on, and I can't wait to hear what new wonders await!

[@karmacamera675]

@@blauphus2 I remember laughing out loud when dummy casual pt2 started as I was I first listening to the NTS Sessions. Autechre definitely have a good sense of pacing and humor that can sneak up on you from out of nowhere. Just don't ask me to explain why it's funny though.

[@aramchek]

It's synapses firing and a heartbeat.

[@slartibartlast968]

Autechre is the knackers. If you listen to tracks repeatedly the structure becomes much more conventional and easy to follow, for somebody who can read music. People talk a lot of yoghurt about them, like "it defies Western concepts of music", nonsense like that. They're just some of the best to do it in Techno.

[@samuelrice7555]

Once your ear gets used to it it sounds ok

[@willjohnson2722]

I grew up listening to early Autechre- Tri Repetae is one of my favourite albums. It started getting a bit too much for me after that. You really really need to listen to music like this with high quality files (FLAC, WAV, ALAC etc) on a good quality system. Streaming off youtube isn't right.

[@MaartenT]

I own a couple of Autechre's albums (the first 3) and like those quite a bit. While I don't listen to this type of electronica a lot any more (every once in a while) and I do own albums of other Warp artists, I have always found newer Autechre to be a very difficult listen. I have a lot of respect for what they do and find it fascinating, but I can't say I really enjoyed going through this track. I am sure it would get better after multiple listens, but I usually gravitate towards somewhat more melodic style of electronica (Plaid, Boards Of Canada) or stuff that at least still has a little bit of melody through more chaotic rhythms (Squarepusher, Aphex Twin). I actually also felt a little weird going through this one, luckily not as bad as to get nauseous. And yes, I have literally gotten sick from some first person video games and some fast shmups before (which actually happened a couple of hours ago, so that probably didn't help).

[@thekeyfumbler]

the 'chre always delivers

[@maali82]

if this makes you already uneasy, try their Ganz Graf track :D

[@fourtreemouths]

was not a tempo shift; the pulse rate stays the same they just change the texture really. autechre seem dedicated to pushing electrónica wherever it currently lies, but maybe that’s superficial of me to say- really they’re just making music they like, and maybe that’s informed by some hyperprogressive instinct on their part, which many fans appreciate. this example is mild compared to some of their crazier work like the NTS sessions, confield, or their elseq album(s). they’re really musical futurists to be honest.

[@AllyLamont]

Funny, because I wouldn't say this is even the most complex or disorientating track on this album! It's an amazing tune, one of my favourite AE tracks, but he should have a go at something off Confield. Or maybe Osla for n off the L-event EP - now that's some meaty stuff!

[@sukidashing3882]

yeah this is nothing compared to their later stuff

[@MrSlimfinger]

Can someone with a patreon subscription PLEASE ask this man to analyze Squarepusher - Tetra-Sync? I think minds will be blown!

[@LyubomirIko]

But why headphones? Their work is with heavy detail in the lows, you can physically FEEL their music move around in the room with a sub-woofer. They are sooo spatially oriented, like describing a concrete place. Although they are so abstract - they create a very realistic stage with their sound. But WOW. I really like to see someone who experience Autechre for the first time... They are so prolific, this piece is far from their best or their weird or the most unearthly. Although at first some of their work could feel emotionless - with time the emotions hits you -and they are WEIRD and intense.You should do more Autechre!

[@adamclark7564]

No expert, but as someone whose dabbled in music production for years. I would always prefer someone to listen to my music first on a pro pair of flat balanced headphones. Everything can be heard as its supposed to be this way. :)

[@someonelse9]

@@adamclark7564 which headphones would you recommend for this?

[@adamclark7564]

@@someonelse9 i would always recommend beyer dynamics dt990s, and i know producers who dont go for these usually go for audiotechnica mt50x i think the model number is (these are 2 pairs that my friends and i who arent made of money can afford at a stretch). But yes, if theyre studio quality balanced/flat headphones they will sound just as the producer wants you to hear it.

[@internetenjoyer1044]

Probably oversteps is an easier introduction to post 2000 autechre

[@BeYourself]

The way we humans can hear in 3D is that there are minimal delays beweteen sound entering the right or left ear depending where the soundsource is. Our brain can then calculate where the sound is coming from. They are audio plugins that recreate this. So you can put sounds everywhere in a 3D field you want. This only works when listening with headphones. Check out DearVR Pro our search for 3D audio. There are entire albums mixed in 3D. I suggest the latest Porcupine Tree Album :)

[@CriticalReactions]

Very neat. I'll check into this sometime. Thanks for the info

[@ThomSonnyYeah]

The hand on the chin means he’s smart.

[@axiomaticclarity324]

Real music isn't about understanding. Real music is about discovery.

[@GregsWhiskyGuide]

Organic, though electronic, a "tour de force" as we say in France....In fact the give away of the music style/oddity was in the cover, I guess...I kinda like this music (while not being conventional melodies, I hear patterns making sense, partly burried into kinda washy evermoving waves of sound, and clearer rythms than expected coming through), even if I'll not listen to it everyday.

[@radiofoot1035]

Can you please react to more of black country new roads new album? It's album of the year hands down, I know you've already reacted to snow globes but you should check out basketball shoes, it is the song following snow globes and the last track of the album.

[@Tony-fx8fb]

I change my mind, do some Clark (Chris Clark) please please!!! I subscribed too. Great upload.

[@alexanderfavell]

Atonal is quite niche, Nathan Fake would be another recommendation similarly ; his melodic structure marvels, and rhythms are more cohesive. Interesting insight into how others react to these styles of electronica.

[@CC-Pi]

On the more melodic side of electronica a track called Tech7 by Abfahrt Hinwil is worth checking out.

[@corticallarvae]

Some of the greatest sound designers on earth weaving it into a tapestry

[@multiz0rak]

6:42 says it all 🥱

[@radioactivetrees9626]

Oh, reminded me of Defacto immediately.

[@esscue]

finally, some good food

[@jordanbolm8517]

Greatest band ever. Long live AE

[@iNuchalHead]

Now do Oval, "Ovalcommers" era.

[@internetenjoyer1044]

aha, you put into words something super cool; what autechre are doing with sound is distracting you from focusing on the "song" itself. this is the big mental jump that autechre lovers make; the movement of the "song", the changing shapes, the way its produced is not an ornanment of the "song", it is the song underneath (often a disguised basis dance tune) that serves what autechre is about; what they do with it, in space and in texture.

[@LyubomirIko]

Its not music bro. They are giving shape to; and physically expressing trough the sound some cosmic entity. You need to dive into the trance - the vibes are just the vessel, not the end or the purpose. They just give you a chance to travel closer to the source.

[@internetenjoyer1044]

@@LyubomirIko it's music bro. great music

[@LyubomirIko]

@@internetenjoyer1044 Of course, I am saying how I feel about it.

[@mot00rzysta]

05:49 "it becomes increasingly difficult to figure out what they're doing" welcome to Ae planet :))

[@forschungfreiesleben-intrinsiq]

Autechre. Darkness. Live. Best sound ever

[@eliasednie]

Fun story, my roommate in music school loved Coltrane's Om because it made him feel physically ill. I can't really dig on that bloop blap jazz nonsense 😂

[@Pamberjack_]

The "otherworldly" comment is a good one. I have often thought that Autechre is a good approximation of what music from an alien civilization might sound like.

[@swapticsounds]

I had to smile when you were yawning. Did the music make you sleepy or have you been tired before too? And did you ever checked out something by Infected Mushroom? They started with a mix of psytrance and classical music and moved more into a wide spectrum of electronic music, still keeping influences of classical music but also pink floyd -like stuff. Also middle-eastern influences, since they are from Israel. Has anybody ever recommended this to you? I`d recommend the songs Stretched or also Heavyweight, since both have a rock/metal component in them plus interesting melodies and chord progressions, but also fascinating psychedelic electronic sound elements you might not be too familar with and I guess you´d have fun with them.

[@CriticalReactions]

I don't think I've heard any music that makes me sleepy, at least not in this setting. Listening critically doesn't quite allow me to get sleepy as my brain is quite active. So yeah, probably just tired here. I haven't checked out any Infected Mushroom but the name sounds familiar so I'd wager you're not the first to recommend them to me.

[@under3mg]

New follower here, nice video!!! it will be great if you can react to Vida from Venetian Snares the album is called Huge Chrome Cylinder Box Unfolding , have a good one!

[@eliasednie]

Context might help, maybe. I've been an Autechre fan like 20 years 🤦🏻 Some of the albums didn't grab me right away. Turned out a couple years later, there was stuff there I really really like. I still do. I don't know how to interpret some of these new fangled Autechre sounds. This one was good & I'll give it more listens, but some of them I can't figure out the thread of sense to them just yet... Maybe I'll find it in a couple years, after letting go of my expectations that Sublimit & Garbagemx are the extent of my expectations 🤷‍♂️